Auto-Number on Certain Rows

Denise

Forgive my naivety as I'm still green at formatting. I'm trying to use the Auto-Number function in a column. I don't want all cells in the column to populate - only if column c isn't blank. I can't seem to get this to work where the auto-number will popular a cell if column c contains anything?

Andrée Starå

Hi Denise,

Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment to limit the have dynamic auto numbering from the feature in Smartsheet. It's all or nothing. Great idea, though!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

A possible workaround could be to use formulas but depending on your structure that might not work.

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Paul Newcome

Are you able to provide more detail as to how exactly you want things populated and the layout of your sheet? Are you able to provide screenshots with sensitive/confidential data blocked, removed, or replaced with "dummy data"?

Denise

Sure. What I'd like to happen is have column A designated as custom auto-numbered. However, I have header rows and don't want auto-numbers to populate unless there is action on Column C. So, every time Column C ISN'T blank, I'd like Column A to generate an auto-number. Using this as a non-compliance tracker so essentially want a unique number to be associated with each row entry. 

Paul Newcome

Ok. Next question...

 

Would you want it to be populated by row and only visible if needed? For example:

.

1

2

3

4

5

.

 But only 2, 3, and 5 are needed so you would see

.

 

2

3

 

5

.

Or would you rather see

.

 

1

2

 

3

.

Denise

The latter option. I only want an auto-number generated on Column A when there is activity on column C.

Paul Newcome

I forgot that leaving gaps between rows in the forum doesn't work.

.

Here is what I meant to show... If you have 

1

2

3

4

5

and you only need 2, 3, and 5, would you want 

.

blank

2

3

blank

5

.

or would you prefer

.

blank

1

2

blank

3

blank

.

I am going to assume you knew what I intended and still want to go with the second option.

In that case, you would want to add in a text number column to house the numbering system and use the following:

 

=COUNTIFS([Column C]$1:[Column C]@row, NOT(ISBLANK(@cell)))

 

Denise

You're right. I'm looking for the last option. Not clear from your email how to use that formula. Tried it and didn't seem to work. Would you mind if I invited you to my sheet so you can take a look?

 

Andrée Starå

Seems like it's probably a simple fix. I'd be happy to take a look and fix it.

Can you maybe share the sheet(s)? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

Paul Newcome

My apologies. The formula would go in [Column A]1 and you would then dragfill down the sheet.